Thousands of Cubans took to the streets Santiago in Cuba today to say goodbye to Compay Segundo, the Buena Vista Social Club guitarist and singer who shot to international stardom in the twilight of his life.
Mourners lined the streets of Compay's hometown where he began his career eight decades ago playing clarinet in the local municipal band. Some cried and others threw flowers as his coffin rode by, draped in a Cuban flag.
Compay, whose real name was Francisco Repilado, died on Sunday in his Havana home of kidney failure. He was 95.
Cubans cried as his cortege moved along a 2.5 mile (4 km) route to the cemetery to a funeral march by the Santiago municipal band.
Compay's songs were played at his crowded wake in the local government headquarters and his best-known song - "Chan Chan" - blared from loudspeakers as his coffin left the building.
"He was a tremendous character," said Ana Lilia, a retired worker, as the coffin rode past. "He was a product of the Cuban music that everyone likes."
"Compay was one of the glorious figures of Cuban music and represented us internationally, defending the revolution and its principles," said Ruben Gales, 25.
At the cemetery, family and friends sang a last "Chan Chan" before the coffin was lowered into a grave loaned by the Cuban army. The largest flower wreath was sent by President Fidel Castro.